The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-04-08
A G0SSIP'S DEED.

! 4NFhtl hAtAAuE-
Il didn't s'pose you'd care so much,
'Nervie, she said, after a moment Of
silence, during which the Young girl had
turned her face away.
Miss Perkins was one OF the born ag-
graTators Of humanity in general and in
particular. Minerva Woodford felt hor-
rihly tempted 10 tell her 70. But Mi
nerva had wonderful seli-control for
such smiling azure eyes and thick ma ssed
ungorernablc auburn hair Ii was no
-ls.sS-sessssiti,ss-e ieAsksA Observation-Disclosures
ternoon; the company OF Miss Perkins
ito tea, the threads of gossip Miss Per
kins unraveled finch for inch with the
yarn Of the great gray balls from which
she was always knitting ugly stockings
for Heaven knew whom and knit up
slowly with her own PEI uliar skill Of mar
Tation into a substance quite as ugly and
durable as the product Of her hands.
Il was one Of Miss Perkins se,f-en-
joined duties to communicate disagree
able fidinss. he felt delightful sense
Of peace aud contentment now that she
had concluded her task OF enlighten ing
her young and motherless hostess
"'Nervie was a good girl and hadn't
ought 10 be deceived leastesi,n she said
- herself. more specially by such a
worthless crittcr as that Jason Hawkes.. -
Il didn't s'pose you'd care SO much, -
she repeated, with an air of sympathy.
Minerva " is reaching thr ugh the win
dow TO break of some of the pink roses
that hung there red-Iipe and luscious.
She did not obey her impulse TO turn and
speak sharply. She did not say out her
thought. - Neryiem How he hated 70
be called iNeryic.r No one with any
sense called her anything but Minnie.
No one but Miss Elvira Perkins. She
wished Miss Perkins would never come
10 see her
she thought all this, but what she said
was milder, as she faced about carelcssly
snd stood arranging the roses.
i am sure hardly understand YOU,
Miss eikins. Why should you suppose
l cared what was said about Jason
hEwkesl &rely he has a right to marry
whom he pleeses "
She might have been little paler than
rsual, but her voice was quite steady.
Miss Perkins smiled discreetly.
There amt much chance for the
young girls, she observed, "when
there's designin' widow come to town.
Ms paTrell's just got Jason Hawkes.
wound completely round her finger.
'Tisn't that he's 50 much account. though
II he'd married You, you COULD'VE had a
good influence. He's altogether too
fond O. "a e-horses and such Ike evil
doings But for her to come AMI set
herself mp so mightily-why, she amt
once returned your call now, I'll be
bound. -
Minefva,s lovely face flushed painfully
~ the reminder. She stepped from sit
ting-room TO kitchen and pat some water
in q vase for the roses. Her heart
throbbed with q great ache, but never
should her caller know il.
Its almost time for father TO come. y
she sa d, qui -tly. I'm going to set the
table now, Miss Perkins. WIN yol sit
by the doori III bring your chair
''Oh, law. 1 can manage for myself,
said the elderly maiden, rising in some
haste 10 push the wooden rocker before
her over the sill and down the length Of
the shining kitchen 1t was a wing of
the house facing the road, and the door
was open.
A sudden hoof-beat and a rumble of
wheels on the soft and yellow, dusty
road. A carriage spun by after certain
sell-known pair Of ct black horses.
Miss Perkins sent up shrill little ciy
Of triumph
Il never There they go; he's driving
her out 10 the fair grounds. What do
ycu think o. thit. '.serviei'
But Minerva made 10 reply.
Miss Perkins turned only TO see the
girl slip quietly from the roam.
Miss Perkins sat there alone for con
siderable space. The tea kettle had be
gun 10 sing cheerily. The snowy table
cloth and the shining glassware had an
inviting a.Pect. There was plenty of
Miss Perkins's favoriie sauce and sweet
pickle; there was Just the kind of tea
biscuit aud cocoanut cake that she dotted
on sbe clio cd her eyes aud ciaspei
her ha=ds With a sigh of ihankfulness
fcs duty performed and blessings about
70 lie enjoyed
Then Minerals father arrived.
''HoH-dy, Miss Perkinsl" he said.
''Where's Minnielr
Minerva reapPeared, Just little pale
and shadoxy around the eyes.
Here / am, father, she said gently;
tea is ready. had something to do,
I'D most forgotten.
Miss Perkins went a~ay Just after tea.
She did not stop to .'help 'Nervie do
the dishes as usual. 1t was getting
dark. and She had long walk, she sud
deHly remembered.
Minerva went about he work quite
unassisted Her father was due at some
village meeting, and so presently she
WAS len alone in the house.
A terrible sense of.depTession fell upon
her. she wondered if Jason Hawkes.
were coming. She VAS quite prepared.
She had everythinE ready 10 return to
him-his letters and the little pearl ring
be had given her Everything was
wTapprd securely; the package was too
heavy for her p0cket--quite too heavy.
she wondered II lie would come. And
how should she feel after she had given
all hack 70 him aad said 10 him that they
had better parti She har lily knew Oh.
ife was hard. and bitter, Jason had
loved hcs-she knew he had loved her
until hat women had come 10 the vii
lsee the designing widow" as Miss
Pe.kins I'D said Pcshsps Miss Perkins
was light
Minerva finished her work and went
70 sit on the porch. The air was heavy
vi b tn scent Of rose and honeysuckle.
And she felt her hear; within her as cold
Is a stone
she lad sat there less than half an
bour when the gate opened and form
familiar ,anae swiftly up the walk Her
cold heart seemed feT moment 10 stand
sill Then it throbbcd painfully.
'.anod evening" she answered very
qtdeiiy 10 b 5 good evening" But she
didn't give him her hand
The rest all CAM about very swiftly.
% pride, FOR thy stern sake how many
hearts are wrungi
lie should never know that she had
learned his tTeachery. He should simply
believe she did not care for him. "Here
are rour letters and the ring she said
swiftly. glad that the darkness vailed
her psllor.
Jsson Hawkes. received them in bitter
silence
''As you choose, then, coeuetie.r he
naiiessdi hnd, taFuing siFode away,